LGBT

Ed Markey is an unwavering supporter of equal rights, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Ed has actively fought for marriage equality and worked to end discrimination against the LGBT community.

Ed voted against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which discriminates against same-sex couples and denies them federal benefits. Ed has also signed onto an amicus brief arguing DOMA is unconstitutional and should be struck down. He co-sponsored the Respect for Marriage Act that would repeal DOMA and require the federal government to recognize the validity of same-sex marriages.

Ed has co-sponsored six bills to ban employment discrimination, legislation to change the tax code to allow domestic partners to qualify for employer-provided insurance, and supported legislation to provide spousal health care, retirement and other benefits to all federal employees in same-sex domestic partnerships.

And he cosponsored legislation to provide same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents the same immigration benefits that heterosexual spouses currently enjoy.

Ed has a 100 percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign and was endorsed by MassEquality because he will be a strong voice for equality in the Senate.